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Abstract:

Configuration management systems and methods for electronic devices are
provided. In some embodiments, a storage unit of an electronic device
stores at least one configuration corresponding to the electronic device.
The at least one configuration is encoded into barcode data according to
an encoding rule, and the barcode data is output to a carrier via an
output unit of the electronic device. In some embodiments, a reception
unit of the electronic device obtains barcode data. A processing unit of
the electronic device decodes the barcode data into a configuration
according to a decoding rule, and sets the electronic device according to
the configuration.

Claims:

1. A configuration management system for electronic devices for use in an
electronic device, comprising: a storage unit storing at least one
configuration corresponding to the electronic device; a processing unit
encoding the at least one configuration into barcode data according to an
encoding rule; and an output unit outputting the barcode data to a
carrier, wherein the barcode data is used to set the electronic device.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an input unit for receiving
an input corresponding to the at least one configuration.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the barcode data comprises a one
dimensional barcode or a two dimensional barcode.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the output unit comprises a printer,
the carrier comprises a printable medium, and the printer prints the
barcode data on the printable medium.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the output unit comprises a RFID
transceiver, the carrier comprises a RFID tag, and the RFID transceiver
transmits the barcode data to the RFID tag.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the output unit comprises a USB unit,
the carrier comprises a portable storage unit, and the USB unit transmits
the barcode data to the portable storage unit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the output unit comprises a micro
projecting module, the carrier comprises a project screen, and the micro
projecting module projects the barcode data on the project screen.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the output unit comprises an image
output unit, the carrier comprises a display module, and the image output
unit transmits the barcode data to the display module for display.

9. A configuration management system for electronic devices for use-in an
electronic device, comprising: a reception unit obtaining barcode data
from a carrier; and a processing unit decoding the barcode data into a
configuration according to a decoding rule, and setting the electronic
device according to the configuration.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the reception unit comprises a scan
module or an image capture module, and performs a scan operation or a
photograph operation to the carrier, thus to obtain an image
corresponding to the barcode data, and the processing unit analyzes the
image to obtain the barcode data.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the reception unit comprises a RFID
transceiver, the carrier comprises a RFID tag, and the RFID transceiver
obtains the barcode data from the RFID tag.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the reception unit comprises a USB
unit, the carrier comprises a portable storage unit, and the USB unit
obtains the barcode data from the portable storage unit.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising a display unit, for
displaying the barcode data or the configuration.

14. The configuration management method for electronic devices for use-in
an electronic device, the method comprising: providing at least one
configuration corresponding to the electronic device; encoding the at
least one configuration into barcode data according to an encoding rule;
and outputting the barcode data to a carrier, wherein the barcode data is
used to set the electronic device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving an input
corresponding to the at least one configuration via an input unit.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the barcode data comprises a one
dimensional barcode or a two dimensional barcode.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising printing the barcode data
on a printable medium via a printer.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting the barcode
data to a RFID tag via a RFID transceiver.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting the barcode
data to a portable storage unit via a USB unit.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising projecting the barcode
data on a project screen via a micro projecting module.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting the barcode
data to a display module for display via an image output unit.

22. A configuration management method for electronic devices for use in
an electronic device, the method comprising: obtaining barcode data from
a carrier; decoding the barcode data into a configuration according to a
decoding rule; and setting the electronic device according to the
configuration.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: performing a scan
operation or a photograph operation to the carrier via a scan module or
an image capture module, thus to obtain an image corresponding to the
barcode data; and analyzing the image to obtain the barcode data.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising obtaining the barcode data
from a RFID tag via a RFID transceiver.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising obtaining the barcode data
from a portable storage unit via a USB unit.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising displaying the barcode
data or the configuration via a display unit.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to configuration management
systems and methods for electronic devices, and more particularly, to
systems and methods that output barcode data corresponding to
configurations by electronic devices, and/or directly perform related
settings for electronic devices using external barcode data.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Recently, with the development of technology, electronic devices
having a variety of capabilities have become necessities of life. For
example, a digital camera having a light and thin volume can conveniently
take photos, and the photos can be viewed and processed in related
devices, such as computer systems. Additionally, TVs/displayers can play
prerecording data, such as movies stored in CD, DVD, and so on. Further,
users can use a TV having a network connection capability to link with an
Internet, and perform related network services. Furthermore, some devices
may have a projection capability, such as projectors or cameras. Users
can project data, photos or movies for viewing via these devices.

[0005] Generally, respective users may have their own preference when
operating an electronic device. For example, for respective users, the
brightness or contrast of a display of the electronic device may be
different. Therefore, conventionally, the electronic device can provide
an interface, which can be used for setting internal configurations of
the electronic device. Users can adjust and set respective parameters in
the configurations via the interface, such that the electronic device can
be operated in the favorite modes of users.

[0006] However, some electronic devices may be provided for several users,
and respective user can set its own configuration on an electronic
device. In some situations, since the configuration on the electronic
device may be modified by other users, a user may frequently perform the
setting of configuration on the same electronic device. These troublesome
and complicate setting procedures are always inconvenient for users.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Configuration management systems and methods for electronic devices
are provided. An electronic device can output barcode data corresponding
to a configuration, and/or the electronic device can be directly
performed with related settings using external barcode data, thus to
avoid repeated and complicate manual setting procedures, and speed up the
setting time of configuration for the electronic device.

[0008] An embodiment of a configuration management system for electronic
devices comprises a storage unit, an output unit, and a processing unit.
The storage unit stores at least one configuration corresponding to the
electronic device. The processing unit encodes the at least one
configuration into barcode data according to an encoding rule. The output
unit outputs the barcode data to a carrier.

[0009] In an embodiment of a configuration management method for
electronic devices, at least one configuration corresponding to an
electronic device is provided. The at least one configuration is encoded
into barcode data according to an encoding rule. Then, the barcode data
is output to a carrier.

[0010] In some embodiments, the output unit can comprise a printer, and
the carrier can comprise a printable medium. The printer prints the
barcode data on the printable medium.

[0011] In some embodiments, the output unit can comprise a RFID
(radio-frequency identification) transceiver, and the carrier can
comprise a RFID tag. The RFID transceiver transmits the barcode data to
the RFID tag.

[0012] In some embodiments, the output unit can comprise a USB (Universal
Serial Bus) unit, and the carrier can comprise a portable storage unit.
The USB unit transmits the barcode data to the portable storage unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the output unit can comprise a micro
projecting module, and the carrier can comprise a project screen. The
micro projecting module projects the barcode data on the project screen.

[0014] In some embodiments, the output unit can comprise an image output
unit, and the carrier can comprise a display module. The image output
unit transmits the barcode data to the display module for display.

[0015] An embodiment of a configuration management system for electronic
devices comprises a reception unit and a processing unit. The reception
unit obtains barcode data from a carrier. The processing unit decodes the
barcode data into a configuration according to a decoding rule, and sets
the electronic device according to the configuration.

[0016] In an embodiment of a configuration management method for
electronic devices, barcode data is obtained from a carrier. Then, the
barcode data is decoded into a configuration according to a decoding
rule, and the electronic device is set according to the configuration.

[0017] In some embodiments, the reception unit can comprise a scan module
or an image capture module, and perform a scan operation or a photograph
operation to the carrier, thus to obtain an image corresponding to the
barcode data. The processing unit can analyze the image to obtain the
barcode data.

[0018] In some embodiments, the reception unit can comprise a RFID
transceiver, and the carrier can comprise a RFID tag. The RFID
transceiver obtains the barcode data from the RFID tag.

[0019] In some embodiments, the reception unit can comprise a USB unit,
and the carrier can comprise a portable storage unit. The USB unit
obtains the barcode data from the portable storage unit.

[0020] Configuration management methods for electronic devices may take
the form of a program code embodied in a tangible media. When the program
code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an
apparatus for practicing the disclosed method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the
following detailed description with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a configuration
management system for electronic devices of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a configuration
management method for electronic devices of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
configuration management system for electronic devices of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a configuration
management method for electronic devices of the invention; and

[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
configuration management system for electronic devices of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a configuration
management system for electronic devices of the invention. The
configuration management system for electronic devices 100 can be used in
an electronic device, such as digital cameras, TVs/displayers, mobile
devices, such as mobile phones, and electronic devices having project
capability, such as projectors and cameras. In this embodiment, the
electronic device can output barcode data corresponding to a
configuration.

[0029] The configuration management system for electronic devices 100
comprises at least a storage unit 110, an output unit 120, and a
processing unit 130. The storage unit 110 can record at least one
configuration. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the
configuration can comprise at least one setting item. As described, the
electronic device may be a digital camera, TV/displayer, mobile phone or
projector. In some embodiments, when the electronic device is a digital
camera, the setting items in the configuration can comprise the scene
mode, focus, exposure value, aperture value, shutter speed, flash
setting, continuous shooting setting, storage size, and/or red-eye
correction setting. In some embodiments, when the electronic device is a
TV/displayer, the setting items in the configuration can comprise the
brightness, contrast, bilingual mode, sound, Internet, channel list,
and/or languages. In some embodiments, when the electronic device is a
mobile phone, the setting items in the configuration can comprise the
phone setting, display setting, and/or communication setting. In some
embodiments, when the electronic device is a projector, the setting items
in the configuration can comprise the color management, color
temperature, Gamma, contrast, brightness, chroma, hues, aperture
adjustment, lamp power, image position, image surface,
focusing/zooming/shifting of lens, pixel adjust, keystone correction,
distortion, language, menu position, and/or network. It is understood
that, the above electronic devices and the setting items in the
corresponding configurations are examples of the application, and the
present invention is not limited thereto.

[0030] In some embodiments, the configuration management system for
electronic devices 100 can further comprise an input unit (not shown in
FIG. 1), such as a button set on the electronic device or a remote
controller corresponding to the electronic device. Users can generate/set
the configuration via the input unit. Additionally, in some embodiments,
the configuration management system for electronic devices 100 can
further comprise a display unit (not shown in FIG. 1), used for
displaying the generation/setting process corresponding to the
configuration.

[0031] The processing unit 130 can encode the configuration into barcode
data according to an encoding rule. It is noted that, in some
embodiments, the barcode data may be a one dimensional barcode, a two
dimensional barcode, such as a QR (Quick Response) code, or a barcode
with any dimension, and the encoding rule can be used to transform a
series of letters/numbers into the barcode data. The output unit 120 can
output the barcode data to a carrier. In some embodiments, the output
unit 120 may be a printer, and the carrier may be a printable medium,
such as paper. The printer prints the barcode data on the printable
medium. In some embodiments, the output unit 120 may be a RFID
transceiver, and the carrier may be a RFID tag. The RFID transceiver
transmits the barcode data to the RFID tag. It is understood that, in
some implementations, the RFID transceiver can be also called as a RFID
receiver or a RFID reader, which can be implemented logics of reading
data from RFID tags, and writing data to RFID tags. In some embodiments,
the output unit 120 may be a USB unit, and the carrier may be a portable
storage unit. The USB unit transmits the barcode data to the portable
storage unit. In some embodiments, the output unit 120 may be a micro
projecting module, and the carrier may be a project screen. The micro
projecting module projects the barcode data on the project screen. In
some embodiments, the output unit 120 may be an image output unit, and
the carrier may be a display module. The image output unit transmits the
barcode data to the display module for display. It is noted that, the
above output unit 120 and the corresponding carrier are examples of the
present application, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a configuration
management method for electronic devices of the invention. The
configuration management method for electronic devices can be used in an
electronic device, such as digital cameras, TVs/displayers, mobile
devices, such as mobile phones, and electronic devices having project
capability, such as projectors and cameras. In this embodiment, the
electronic device can output barcode data corresponding to a
configuration.

[0034] It is understood that, in some embodiments, users can generate/set
the configuration via an input unit, such as a button set on the
electronic device or a remote controller corresponding to the electronic
device. In some embodiments, the generation/setting process corresponding
to the configuration can be displayed via a display unit.

[0035] In step S220, the configuration is encoded into barcode data
according to an encoding rule. Similarly, in some embodiments, the
barcode data may be a one dimensional barcode, a two dimensional barcode,
such as a QR (Quick Response) code, or a barcode with any dimension, and
the encoding rule can be used to transform a series of letters/numbers
into the barcode data. Then, in step S230, the barcode data corresponding
to the configuration is output to a carrier. It is understood that, in
some embodiments, the barcode data is output to a carrier via an output
unit in step S230. In some embodiments, the output unit can comprise a
printer, a RFID transceiver, a USB unit, a micro projecting module,
and/or an image output unit. In some embodiments, the carrier can
comprise a printable medium, a RFID tag, a portable storage unit, a
project screen, and/or a display module. It is noted that, the above
output unit and the corresponding carrier are examples of the present
application, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
configuration management system for electronic devices of the invention.
The configuration management system for electronic devices 300 can be
used in an electronic device, such as digital cameras, TVs/displayers,
mobile devices, such as mobile phones, and electronic devices having
project capability, such as projectors and cameras. In this embodiment,
the electronic device can receive barcode data corresponding to a
configuration, and accordingly perform related settings.

[0037] The configuration management system for electronic devices 300
comprises at least a reception unit 310 and a processing unit 320. The
reception unit 310 can obtain barcode data from a carrier. It is
understood that, in some embodiments, the reception unit-310 may be a
scan module or an image capture module, and the carrier may be a
printable medium, such as paper. The scan module or the image capture
module can perform a scan operation or a photograph operation to the
printable medium, thus to obtain an image corresponding to the barcode
data. In some embodiments, the carrier may be a project screen or a
display module, wherein the project screen or the display module has a
display corresponding to the barcode data. Similarly, the image capture
module can perform a photograph operation to the project screen or the
display module, thus to obtain an image corresponding to the barcode
data. The processing unit 320 can analyze the image to obtain the barcode
data. It is noted that, in some embodiments, the reception unit 310 may
be a RFID transceiver, and the carrier may be a RFID tag. The RFID
transceiver can obtain the barcode data from the RFID tag. In some
embodiments, the reception unit 310 may be a USB unit, and the carrier
can comprise a portable storage unit. The USB unit can obtain the barcode
data from the portable storage unit. It is understood that, the above
reception unit 310 and the corresponding carrier are examples of the
present application, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
After the barcode data is obtained, the processing unit 320 can decode
the barcode data into a configuration according to a decoding rule. It is
noted that, in some embodiments, the barcode data may be a one
dimensional barcode, a two dimensional barcode, or a barcode with any
dimension, and the decoding rule can be used to transform the barcode
data into a series of letters/numbers. Note that, the configuration may
be various according to different electronic devices, and related
descriptions are omitted here. After the configuration is obtained, the
processing unit 320 can set the electronic device according to the
configuration. Additionally, in some embodiments, the configuration
management system for electronic devices 300 can further comprise a
display unit (not shown in FIG. 3), used for displaying the received
barcode data or the configuration.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a configuration
management method for electronic devices of the invention. The
configuration management method for electronic devices can be used in an
electronic device, such as digital cameras, TVs/displayers, mobile
devices, such as mobile phones, and electronic devices having project
capability, such as projectors and cameras. In this embodiment, the
electronic device can receive barcode data corresponding to a
configuration, and accordingly perform related settings

[0039] In step S410, barcode data is obtained from a carrier. It is
understood that, in some embodiments, the barcode data is obtained from
the carrier via a reception unit. In some embodiments, the reception unit
may be a scan module or an image capture module, and the carrier may be a
printable medium. The scan module or the image capture module can perform
a scan operation or a photograph operation to the printable medium, thus
to obtain an image corresponding to the barcode data. In some
embodiments, the carrier may be a project screen or a display module,
wherein the project screen or the display module has a display
corresponding to the barcode data. Similarly, the image capture module
can perform a photograph operation to the project screen or the display
module, thus to obtain an image corresponding to the barcode data. The
image can be analyzed to obtain the barcode data. It is noted that, in
some embodiments, the reception unit 310 may be a RFID transceiver, and
the carrier may be a RFID tag. The RFID transceiver can obtain the
barcode data from the RFID tag. In some embodiments, the reception unit
310 may be a USB unit, and the carrier can comprise a portable storage
unit. The USB unit can obtain the barcode data from the portable storage
unit. It is understood that, the above reception unit 310 and the
corresponding carrier are examples of the present application, and the
present invention is not limited thereto. In step S420, the barcode data
is decoded into a configuration according to a decoding rule. Similarly,
in some embodiments, the barcode data may be a one dimensional barcode, a
two dimensional barcode, or a barcode with any dimension, and the
decoding rule can be used to transform the barcode data into a series of
letters/numbers. Note that, the configuration may be various according to
different electronic devices, and related descriptions are omitted here.
After the configuration is obtained, in step S430, the electronic device
is set according to the configuration.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a
configuration management system for electronic devices of the invention.
The configuration management system for electronic devices 500 can be
used in an electronic device, such as digital cameras, TVs/displayers,
mobile devices, such as mobile phones, and electronic devices having
project capability, such as projectors and cameras. In this embodiment,
the electronic device can output barcode data corresponding to a
configuration, and efficiently complete the setting of configuration for
the electronic device using the output barcode data.

[0041] The configuration management system for electronic devices 500
comprises at least a reception unit 510, an output unit 520, a storage
unit 530, and a processing unit 540. Users can generate/set the
configuration via an input unit (not shown), such as a button set on the
electronic device or a remote controller corresponding to the electronic
device. It is understood that, the configuration can comprise at least
one setting item. The configuration may be various according to different
electronic devices, and the present invention is not limited to any
electronic device or corresponding configuration. In some embodiments,
storage unit 530 can temporarily store the configuration. The processing
unit 540 can encode the configuration into barcode data, such as a two
dimensional barcode of QR code according to an encoding rule. The
processing unit 540 can output the barcode data to a carrier via the
output unit 520. Similarly, in some embodiments, the output unit 520 may
be a printer, and the carrier may be a printable medium, such as paper.
The printer prints the barcode data on the printable medium. In some
embodiments, the output unit 520 may be a RFID transceiver, and the
carrier may be a RFID tag. The RFID transceiver transmits the barcode
data to the RFID tag. In some embodiments, the output unit 520 may be a
USB unit, and the carrier may be a portable storage unit. The USB unit
transmits the barcode data to the portable storage unit. In some
embodiments, the output unit 520 may be a micro projecting module, and
the carrier may be a project screen. The micro projecting module projects
the barcode data on the project screen. In some embodiments, the output
unit 520 may be an image output unit, and the carrier may be a display
module. The image output unit transmits the barcode data to the display
module for display. It is noted that, the above output unit 520 and the
corresponding carrier are examples of the present application, and the
present invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] When the electronic device wants to perform the setting of
configuration, the electronic device can obtain barcode data from a
carrier via the reception unit 510. Similarly, in some embodiments, the
reception unit 510 may be a scan module or an image capture module, and
the carrier may be a printable medium, such as paper. The scan module or
the image capture module can perform a scan operation or a photograph
operation to the printable medium, thus to obtain an image corresponding
to the barcode data. In some embodiments, the carrier may be a project
screen or a display module, wherein the project screen or the display
module has a display corresponding to the barcode data. Similarly, the
image capture module can perform a photograph operation to the project
screen or the display module, thus to obtain an image corresponding to
the barcode data. The processing unit 540 can analyze the image to obtain
the barcode data. In some embodiments, the reception unit 510 may be a
RFID transceiver, and the carrier may be a RFID tag. The RFID transceiver
can obtain the barcode data from the RFID tag. In some embodiments, the
reception unit 510 may be a USB unit, and the carrier can comprise a
portable storage unit. The USB unit can obtain the barcode data from the
portable storage unit. It is understood that, the above reception unit
510 and the corresponding carrier are examples of the present
application, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is
noted that, when the output unit 520 and the input unit 510 are both RFID
transceivers, the output unit 520 and the input unit 510 can be
integrated. Additionally, when the output unit 520 and the input unit 510
are both USB units, the output unit 520 and the input unit 510 can be
integrated. After the barcode data is obtained, the processing unit 540
decodes the barcode data into a configuration according to a decoding
rule, and sets the electronic device according to the configuration. It
is noted that, in some embodiments, the obtained barcode data and/or the
decoded configuration can be display via a display unit (not shown).

[0043] It is understood that, since the micro projecting module is always
integrated with a mobile device, and has a limited size and less
operational buttons, it is inconvenient for users to perform related
settings of configuration by using the operational buttons of the micro
projecting device. Further, since the electronic device having an image
capture module such as a mobile device is popular, users can output the
barcode data via the micro projecting module of the electronic device,
and input the barcode data as an image to the electronic device via the
image capture module, thus to accordingly perform related settings. In
this way, a more efficient and simple setting manner for configuration
can be provided.

[0044] Therefore, the configuration management systems and methods for
electronic devices can output barcode data corresponding to
configurations by electronic devices, and/or directly perform related
settings for electronic devices using external barcode data, thus to
avoid repeated and complicate manual setting procedures, and speed up the
setting time of configuration for the electronic device.

[0045] Configuration management methods for electronic devices, or certain
aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of a program code (i.e.,
executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy
disks, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage
medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a
machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for
practicing the methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor,
the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique
apparatus that operates analogously to the application of specific logic
circuits.

[0046] While the invention has been described by way of example and in
terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can
still make various alterations and modifications without departing from
the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the
present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims
and their equivalents.